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The Sea of Glass by Ezra Pound

I looked and saw a sea                                roofed over with rainbows, In the midst of each                                two lovers met and departed; Then the sky was full of faces                                with gold glories behind them. poets.org/poetsorg/poem/sea-glass __________________________________ Speak to me, poet. Tell me there is a Starling coloring the edges of this poem purple.

Spirits

I've never lived in a "lifeless house." Ghosts were always there. In the kitchen, in the living room and in the bedroom of the old house on the corner. I will return one day to the home of my birth. I know  the spirits never meant any harm. Their desire was to nurture me with their gifts of insight, a listening heart, the willingness to count the petals of a red geranium and the ability to look at the ugly while not showing disdain. Also, the strength and willingness to rejuvenate the earth with new lives. All the while knowing at some time my ghost would inhabit their minds and homes.

My Dream About Time by Lucille Clifton

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a woman unlike myself is running down the long hall of a lifeless house with too many windows which open on a world she has no language for, running and running until she reaches at last the one and only door which she pulls open to find each wall is faced with clocks and as she watches all of the clocks strike                                              NO                          poetryfoundation.org/poem/241668 _____________________________________________________ Yes, just like me. I've been running all my life. From where? From one place to another place. Sometimes I ran while standing still. The reason why is that I had become afraid of myself. A self that was too large for life or too small for life, never a perfect self. Lucille Clifton definitely knew about me. Although she never met me. Perhaps, she knew all women. Did my mother have a running spell? How about my grandmother or the other generations of women in my family? I can say some of

Hope in The Land by Olivia Newport

In Lancaster County, it is the time of the Depression during the Thirties. Hope in The Land by Olivia Newport is mainly about two Amish families: the Grabills and the Swains. The Grabills are the biggest family of the two. What makes the novel interesting is the relationship between Minerva Swain and Gloria Grabill, how people lived through the Depression and the values of the Amish in their community. Growing up, I lived only a couple hours from Lancaster County. So I felt a bit homesick remembering my father's visits to the farmer's market when the Amish came to town. In the novel, it's surprising to see two women acting out against one another especially since one woman is Amish. Gloria is Amish. Minerva is English. They have known and disliked each other since school age. Still, it is hard for each to come together in one room together. I felt that Minerva came across as the coldest and the grumpiest and the one who seemed very sensitive. Gloria seemed more easy goi

When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad

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In this Christian fiction novel, When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad, there is mystery, romance and plenty about the struggle to do what pleases God and not what doesn't please Him. Hannah often prays about situations, and I could really see how God can intervene in horrible situations that can happen in real life. The novel takes place in 1908 in Iowa. Both parents of three sisters have died. Hannah, the oldest, Charlotte and Tessa. Hannah takes her responsibilities seriously. She goes back to school to become a telephone operator. After getting the job, she finds out how hard it is to live without parents and work on a job where every move she makes is graded. Hannah is spunky. That's why I liked her. She doesn't give up easily. She helps a friend get through legal problems due to a labor strike at the Western Union. There is bloodshed during the strike. That doesn't scare her. At home, she tries very hard to keep up with Charlotte and a beau. His name

The Lamplighter by Robert Louis Stevenson

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            My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky. It's time to take the window to see Leerie going by; For every night at teatime and before you take your seat, With lantern and with ladder he comes posting up the street. Now Tom would be a driver and Maria go to sea, And my papa's a banker and as rich as he can be; But I, when I am stronger and can choose what I'm to do, O Leerie, I'll go round at night and light the lamps with you! For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door, And Leerie stops to light it as he lights so many more; And oh! before you hurry by with ladder and with light; O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him to-night!    poetryloverspage.com/poets/stevenson/lamplighter   http://www.vulcanlighting.com  

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

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Tea Norman I find myself sympathizing with Agnes Grey, the governess. While on the first job, I empathized with her. Now I am doing the same on her second job. The story is told from her, Agnes Grey's, viewpoint. If I read a true account by the children or charges, would I feel the same way about Agnes Grey? I'm wondering if she is not meant to be a governess. Of course, there weren't many positions for women at that time. What positions did she have to choose from?

A boy~

Little black and yellow bird saw a boy. Without a thought or word the boy ran with joy. His chocolate milkshake fell to the ground. He didn't care. He had found a new sound. Chirp! Chirp!  chirped the wind-up toy.(hn)

Everywhere I Go (hn)

Is it true? They talk about my children lost everywhere I go. Is it true? They talk about my cold love everywhere I go. Is it true? They talk about my greyed, patched hair everywhere I go. No, it's not true. The town continues to love me everywhere I go. Refuses to look at all my flaws just prays me, they do everywhere I go.

Still reading Limericks, at least, until tomorrow

It's the beginning of National Poetry Month, 2016. I'm still enjoying Limericks. They really jiggle my funny bone.  Yesterday I read one from Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The subject is a crocodile. Then, I tried writing another one. At this very moment, my fingers want to write another Limerick. These short verses make me feel free and full of laughter. There are rules but not so many as a sonnet. Did Shakespeare ever write a Limerick? I think of my grandchildren. I can see them sitting down with different colored pencils or crayons writing Limericks on yellow, purple, red or even black construction paper. Fun! If they would decide to write one or two Limericks, I would like to receive them in a letter. Does anyone write letters anymore? I'm thinking of the ones delivered by a mailman. What better gift for Mother's Day than funny lines from the smartest children in the whole wide world? I know ; It's too early to think of Mother's Day. It's jus

Limerick

I've always known Limericks were funny. Since my funny bone is slim, I would skip over Limericks written by famous poets in Literature anthologies. Silly me, I thought reading these short, humorous lines a waste of my time. Now, I'm dying to read more of them. I also think these poems are difficult to write. Happily, I am cheered up by reading these lines. They are good medicine. Kettle blows steam high. Bumble bees go by in the sky. Many robins make a nest. Flies land on bread and rest. Mothers look at toys to buy.

First Paragraph, First Chapter

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Introduction Bucharest, Romania 1984 Miruna, MY LEGAL ASSISTANT, peeked into my office doorway. '"A big man in the waiting room says he wants to discuss a case."' She shrugged. '"That's all he will tell me."' Bibliophile By the Sea

Daily Prompt Edge

For a very long time, people believed they could fall from the edge of the earth. That must have been awful to live with such a fear. It's not hard for me to understand their belief and their feelings. My first time visiting an island was frightening. If we drove far enough, I thought we would reach the end of the island or edge of the ocean. If we didn't stop the car quickly or turn around, our lives would end. It's strange how the mind can turn on a silly thought, and believe it. I cringed each time we had gotten to a certain point of the island. Now I think of these thoughts as a good plot for a Science Fiction movie. I'm sure my feelings have changed about the dangerous edge. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this feeling while visiting an island. I must have missed facts in Geography class. I'm not sure whether islands end abruptly. Is their en edge like an edge to a cliff? Is it possible to go too far and fall into the ocean? I could swear we came t

It's Hard

The loaf of bread is stale. It is always on the wooden table in the kitchen. It is there because sometimes it's the only food the family have to eat. After traveling across the sea, the Boones never got themselves up and going again. The father was unable to hold a job. He had a skill, fishing. Too discouraged to lift a fishing rod or to put bait on his hook, he sat in front of the t.v. with the sound turned down and let colorful cartoon characters pass by while he waited for the commercials. No, his father had never grown up. The waters in this part of Atlantic City were so polluted fishermen were giving up their jobs quickly and headed further into the city. They hoped to find work in construction or in a factory. Nathan never did find a job lasting over six months. He never left home. Leaving his brood his brood of three children and a memory of a dead wife and mother was not an option. The oldest child, sixteen year old, James, carried the load for the family

Easter, He has risen.

Isaiah 53:5 - But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Lost hope, how often? More than three hundred sixty-five times and more. Wanting to believe that no bridge in life would ever break due to high, stormy winds. Then, regaining my equilibrium somewhere and remembering that God will never leave me. On hopeless days, He draws closer than ever. Again, this reminds me of the familiar Footsteps in the Sand. There are so many renditions. These thoughts leave me more than thankful for Easter Sunday this year. I am thankful God rise again to walk with me through sufferings present, past and future. He knows my days. He does not grow tired or weak, and His ear is open to every cry I make. Isaiah 53:5 - But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are

Luna Sea by Jessica Sherry

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It's taken me a hot moment to get into this book. Luna Sea by Jessica Sherry . It has finally begun to catch my interest. I am curious about the distressed red headed woman who disappears after Delilah sees her. '"Then, search the beach! The marsh!"' I argued. '"She's out there somewhere, and she's in trouble. She was convulsing, Lewis. Her lips were blue and her pulse was racing. She needs help!"' I liked the Oceanic facts mentioned at the beginning of each chapter. The author slips sea facts into metaphors that fit whatever or wherever the character is in the book: Triggerfish, Angelfish, etc. There is also poetry and proverbs like "finders keepers."  Lo and behold, there are also scriptures. Mainly the one in the Bible about a sound mind. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7 Delilah often thinks about this scripture. She suffers with panic attacks and o

The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton

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In The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton, Delaney Nichols begins a new life at The Cracked Spine Bookstore. She has come from Kansas and traveled all the way to Edinburgh, Scotland. The Cracked Spine sells rare books. They also have manuscripts for trade. Almost as soon as Delaney Nichols begins work there a murder happens which involves the owner of the store, Edwin McAllister. Edwin's sister, Jenny, is "brutally" murdered in her flat. Delaney is no shrinking violet. She wants to figure out what happened and why and did someone steal a Folio from her flat. This Scottish cozy involves the writings of Shakespeare and the disappearance of a book, a classic, titled The Adventures of Roderick Random by Smollett. I really enjoyed reading about specifically titled books and just simple anecdotes about books. Delaney is passionate about books and Scottish History. She has experience in the museum and library work. I also liked how quickly Edwin, Hamlet and the staff took t

Teaser Tuesday

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I blushed. '"I'm sorry. I need to be more professional. Men don't wear kilts in Kansas. It was an--interesting sight. We have more serious things going on though."' http://adailyrhythm.com/teaser-tuesday

First Chapter, First Paragraph

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"Since 1800, THE WHITE HOUSE has served as a residence for the president of the United States. The eighteen acres that surround the White House have been the Forrest Gump of gardens--an unwitting witness to history--a backdrop for Civil War soldiers, suffragettes, protestors in the 1960's and activists today."(Timber Press) http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

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Have you peeked at my books on the shelf? This one has been there awhile. It called to me this morning. Its voice loud and clear. I had to answer it. Picked the novel up and started it. The writing style blew me away. Usually, a novel carries me from my world to another one. This one just led me back into a world of memories and into a Still Life painting I might have observed in a museum. Let me share a bit with you. www.edwardkelseymoore.com "I grabbed the water pitcher and saw a bowl of grapes sitting next to it looking cool and delicious...I sat down at what had been my place at the table for three decades and poured a glass of water. Then I popped a handful of grapes into my mouth and started to feel better." Suddenly I could see myself back at the dining room table eating breakfast, lunch or dinner with my family. I could taste the grapes or bananas eaten with my children on a trip to a beach. It all flew back in my mind as quickly as the birds fly back from the